What progress has been made on the Transwest Mongolia Technical Institute (TMTI)? 

Whilst hiring talent is not a problem right across Transwest Mongolia, it is hard to find enough tradespeople due to the size of the workforce in Mongolia and the skilled nature of the work we do. So we decided to set up the TMTI, taking on roughly 20 new apprentices each year to bring these trainees into our workforce. This provides us with a constant cycle of new employees who are already familiar with our policies and working methods. 

Could you outline some of the recent technologies Transwest has introduced to the Mongolian market? 

A lot of new technology entering Mongolia is focused on monitoring, feedback, and prognostic data connected to satellites. This allows our machines to be reviewed at any time and from anywhere in the world. 

New driver interfaces can provide real-time data to workers in the field, and from a safety perspective, can use fatigue monitoring and heads-up displays in order to make sure that operators remain alert. Battery technologies are starting to enter the Mongolian market; however, the longevity of these still does not match up to a diesel engine. 

How is Transwest Mongolia looking to bring autonomous equipment to Mongolia? 

KOMATSU is one of the leading mining suppliers of autonomous equipment in the world. Due to the cost and the fact that Mongolia is relatively new to the mining industry, autonomous trucks have yet to enter Mongolia. The overall economy determines whether this is a worthwhile investment, and I believe that these technologies will soon enter Mongolia. We are exploring these opportunities with our clients, and multiple mining companies in the country are interested in implementing a partly autonomous fleet in the coming years. Autonomy provides a constant work cycle with no one in harm’s way, which is an attractive proposition to mining companies. 

What is the added value of Transwest Mongolia for your Mongolian clients? 

As a Canadian-owned company, we operate based on international standards at a very high level. We train our staff to the highest level, even if they do not stay with Transwest in the long run. This applies to every department in the company and is something we have tried very hard to maintain. Transwest also tries to contribute to social issues in Mongolia, such as tree planting programs and school support. People are often surprised by how modern our offices and facilities are. 

How has Transwest Mongolia ensured security in its supply chain? 

We are very limited in terms of logistical options in Mongolia due to its geographical location, particularly now that the situation in Russia has closed that corridor from Europe, as much of our equipment comes from Germany. Through the pandemic, we maintained a close relationship with our suppliers and logistic support in the hope that this would keep us as a premier customer for them. We have not slowed down our services despite increased timelines. Transwest Mongolia has proved its ability to mold its supply chain to developing international situations. 

What is next for Transwest Mongolia? 

The government has a strategic plan to unlock the vast amounts of mineral resources in Mongolia, and it needs to ensure that its policies are in line to secure more foreign investment to create a more competitive and healthier market. We are exploring opportunities in Turkey, as it is an industrialized nation with good links to Mongolia. 

Our growth this year is focused on retaining and attracting new talent to help service and support the new machines we have in the field. We will look to learn from other jurisdictions to help best serve our Mongolian clients. 

Mongolia’s mining industry is moving into a new era. Our role at Transwest Mongolia is to make sure that the skills, technology, and partnerships are in place to match that ambition. We are not just here to deliver machines; we are here to help build a stronger, smarter future for Mongolia’s resources sector.